Nashville, Tenn. (October 27, 2009) – When the Nashville Predators hit the Sommet Center ice this Thursday, Oct. 29 to take on the Chicago Blackhawks, they will be showing their support for the National Hockey League’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.

To help promote the fight against cancer, Preds coaches and broadcasters will don lavender Hockey Fights Cancer ties, players will have Hockey Fights Cancer stickers on their helmets and the silent-auction table will offer Hockey Fights Cancer themed Mystery Pucks and Mystery Sticks as well as Hockey Fights Cancer bracelets and Children’s Hospital team-autographed hats. Additionally, for every single-game ticket sold for this game, the Preds will donate 25 percent back to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Serving as Child Ambassador for the night will be 13-year-old Trace Kimler, a local Preds fanatic and recently-in-remission cancer patient. Trace will be given the honor of dropping the puck in a pre-game ceremonial faceoff. He will also be named Mayor of Smashville for the evening – charging him with the task of welcoming the team back on the ice with an air-raid siren from the band stage after the first intermission.

Other initiatives from the night include:

• JP Dumont will host several Children's Hospital patients and their families to enjoy the game in his personal suite. A post-game player meet-and-greet/autograph session will also be provided.

• Intermission entertainment provided by Soul Incision, a band comprised entirely of Vanderbilt University Medical Center doctors. Additionally, the anthem will be sung by Vanderbilt University Student and Children’s Hospital Dance Marathon Volunteer, Whitney Wolanin.

• Four-year-old Nash, a cancer patient at Children’s Hospital, will be invited to sit on the Nashville Predators bench during pre-game warm-ups.

• The “Ladies of Smashville” will be showing their support by donning lavender extensions in their hair. Additionally, the Liquid Ice Girls will be sporting lavender leg warmers and the EquipLinq Dancers will carry lavender pom-poms.

• The Nashville Predators donated a number of tickets to Thursday’s game to several local charities including Make-a-Wish, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Ronald McDonald House.

• Zebra’s Care, a charitable organization formed by the National Hockey League Officials Association in the hopes of providing the opportunity for underprivileged and sick children to meet NHLOA members and to attend a National Hockey League game in person, will meet with two young cancer patients prior to that evening’s game.

o One of those patients, whose Make-a-Wish desire is to be a broadcaster, will spend some time in the broadcast booth with Predators play-by-play announcer Pete Weber and color analyst Terry Crisp.

Hockey Fights Cancer is a joint initiative created by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association which honors those in the hockey community who have struggled, or continue to struggle with the disease. The goal of Hockey Fights Cancer is to raise money and awareness for national and local organizations involved in cancer care and research. To date, the initiative has raised more than $10.5 million for cancer research and care.